White: 'Rampage' made $15.2M over 11 fights, but 'shoots himself in the foot'

CHICAGO – In a response to Quinton Jackson’s hints at being swindled out of money, UFC President Dana White put a number on the fighter’s earnings between 2007-2012.

His reported take: $15.2 million, which averages $1.38 million over 11 trips to the octagon.

“If you’re going to go out and you want to say all this stuff about the UFC, we know what we are, we know what we do, we know what you’ve been paid,” White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “OK, you made $15.2 (million) but you wanted $100 (million). It’s always going to be the case.”

White and Jackson agree they’ve been at odds since Jackson’s role in the remake of “The A-Team,” which forced him to withdraw from a fight with Rashad Evans at UFC 107 following “The Ultimate Fighter 10,” where both served as coaches.

White said the incident is water under the bridge, but clearly, Jackson hasn’t forgotten. In the buildup to what could be his final octagon appearance at UFC on FOX 6, the ex-champ has aired a laundry list of grievances with the UFC and is considering a career in pro boxing.

The question heading into Saturday is whether the relationship is irreparable.

White expressed dismay at the 34-year-old fighter’s behavior during a pre-event press conference in support of the event, where Jackson (32-10 MMA, 7-4 UFC) will fight Glover Teixeira (19-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in the FOX-televised co-main event at Chicago’s United Center.

Appearing sullen and withdrawn, Jackson played a video game, he said, and gave short, terse answers to the media.

“To come up here and treat the media the way he did, it’s professional suicide,” White said. “‘Rampage’ has the ability to be a huge star. We’ve seen it. When he’s on and his head is right and in the game, there’s no one more entertaining. There’s no better press conference to be at.”

Jackson recently said his bridge is burned with the UFC, but White isn’t ready to call it quits. The executive praised Jackson’s skill in front of the camera and said the fighter “has the potential to do anything.” He also told MMAjunkie.com that he couldn’t rule out the possibility the UFC would make a run at re-signing the former champion.

“It’s just when he gets in these moods, he shoots himself in the foot,” White said.

Jackson admitted his behavior was part of a cycle. During a pre-fight workout for the event, he noted that his exit from the now-defunct PRIDE came about in much the same way. When he started to feel disrespected and taken advantage of, he left, regardless of the consequences.

It’s anyone’s guess how Jackson’s attitude will serve him going into a fight with Teixeira, who hasn’t lost a fight in seven years.

White, though, said pressure isn’t on Jackson’s shoulders.

“When you look at this situation and where ‘Rampage’ is right now, mentally, and all the things going on with him, you can tell there’s absolutely no pressure or stress on ‘Rampage’ whatsoever. It’s another fight for him. He honestly believes 100 percent that he’s going to go box or whatever he’s going to do.

“For Glover, all the pressure is on him. This is, I’m sure, the most nervous he’s ever been. It’s a career-defining moment.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.